Pistol type nozzle valve

ABSTRACT

A pistol type nozzle valve having a barrel top, a barrel frame, and a handle grip, usable in especially a gasoline station having a suspended type gasoline feeding means, an inlet being provided at the side of the barrel frame, and an automatic valve closing device being provided in the barrel frame on one side of the inlet opposite the barrel top side, so that the center of gravity is shifted to that side of the nozzle opposite the barrel top, to thereby effect automatic rotation of the barrel top into an upward direction when not in use.

United States Patent Tatsuno Sept. 16, 1975 [5 1 PISTOL TYPE NOZZLEVALVE 2,739.778 3/1956 Krone et 137/615 [76l Inventor: Hiyoshi 'Iatsuno4-4-1 1, Shirogane,

Mmato'ku Tokyo'to Japan Primary ExaminerH0uston S. Bell, Jr. 122 Ffled;Man 25 1974 Attorney, Agent or FirmWatson, Cole, Grindle &

Watson 121 Appl. No.: 454,457

I 30] Foreign Application Priority Data I 57] ABSTRACT Aug 24, I973Japan 48-94308 Japan 48386201 A pistol type nozzle valve having a barreltop, a barrel Japan 48'9862"U| frame, and a handle grip, usable inespecially a gaso- 1973 Japan 43'98622w] line station having a suspendedtype gasoline feeding means, an inlet being provided at the side of thebarrel I52] U.S. CI; 1. 222/536; l37/6l5 frame and an automafic ValveClosing device being I II.- Cl. t t provided in the barrel frame on oneSide of the inlet 1581 held of Search l4l/|92 229* opposite the barreltop side. so that the center of gravl4l/392; 137/653 222/465 ity isshifted to that side of the nozzle opposite the 536 barrel top, tothereby effect automatic rotation of the barrel top into an upwarddirection when not in use. [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7Claims 12 Drawing Figures l 472 413 10/1923 Graham 137/615 PATENTEESEP 1ems 3. 905.524

SHEET 1 UF 5 FIG. I

Prior Art was PATENTED SEP 1 6 I975 SHEET 2 or 5 PATENIEBSEPIBIBTS 2 men3 o 5 FIG. 4

IL -ll Illlll.

PATENTED SEP 1 8 $975 SIIZU u 0F 5 PATENTEU 1 i975 S'HEU 5 [1F 5 FIG.I00

PISTOL TYPE NOZZLE VALVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to a pistol type nozzle valve. and more particularlyto a pistol type nozzle valve which nozzle tip is always maintained inan upward position when the nozzle valve is suspended by a hose.

Heretofore. in general pistol type nozzle valves for use in a gasolinestation, a handle grip has been used as an inlet so that. in thesuspended type gasoline feeding means (US. Pat. No. 3.395.723 andBritish Pat. No. l l l6.78l in which a hose is lowered from a hose realprovided on a ceiling for feeding gasoline into an automobile tank, inorder to keep the barrel tip of a pistol type nozzle valve in an upwardposition. a doubleswivcl joint of the elbow type is fixed to the root ofthe handle grip of the nozzle valve so as to rotate it into an upwardposition parallel to the vertical hose. However, operations such asfastening. dismounting and rotating are drawbacks for gasoline feedingoperations. especially for a busy gasoline station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is designed to avoid thedrawbacks mentioned above in that, on the side of the cen tral portionof the barrel frame of a pistol type nozzle valve, an inlet is providedand. when a hose is connected to this inlet so as to suspend it by meansof the hose. the barrel top of the pistol type nozzle valve is alwaysmaintained in an upward position. Also, the centcr of gravity of thenozzle is arranged to be positioned on a side of the inlet opposite thebarrel top to cause the barrel top to automatically rotate into anupward position when released.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention isto provide a pistol type nozzle valve which is easy to handle and is soarranged that its center of gravity is positioned on the opposite sideof its barrel top relative to an inlet. so that the barrel top may bepositioned upwardly when the nozzle valve is released.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pistol type nozzlevalve provided with an automatic closing means on the opposite side ofthe barrel top relative to an inlet. so as to position the center ofgravity of the nozzle valve on the opposite side relative to the barreltop.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pistol type nozzlevalve provided with a rotation stop pin on the nozzle for stopping thenozzle valve in a position suitable for feeding gasoline when the nozzlevalve is rotated to feed gasoline.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a triggerrestraining means for a pistol type nozzle valve. which is adapted to beoperated with one hand when the trigger of the nozzle valve is actuated.

The foregoing objects and the other objects as well as thecharacteristic features of the present invention will become moreapparent and more readily understandable by the following detaileddescription of the invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side view of an actualgasoline station equipped with a suspended type gasoline feeding meansincorporating a pistol type nozzle valve of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a gasoline station equipped with a suspendedtype gasoline feeding means incorpo rating a pistol type nozzle valve ofone embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view ofa pistol type nozzle valve of suchembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a part sectional view of the nozzle valve taken along lineIVIV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the pilot valve for the nozzlevalve.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the push rod of the nozzle valve.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a U-shaped frame body into which rollspins of the nozzle valve are in serted.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the condition of the pistol type nozzlevalve rotated to feed gasoline.

FIG. 9a is a cross-sectional view of a guard for the trigger of thepistol type nozzle valve.

FIG. 9b is a plan view of such guard.

FIG. 10a is a side view of another embodiment of the pistol type nozzlevalve having two inlets provided on both sides of the barrel frame.

FIG. 1012 is a right side view of the pistol type nozzle valve of FIG.10a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 illustrates a prior artpistol type nozzle valve of the suspended type used in a gasolinestation. wherein the handle grip serves as an inlet. A hose reel device61 is mounted on a ceiling 60 and houses a reeled-up hose 62 used forfeeding gasoline into an automobile gasoline tank. A pistol type nozzlevalve 63 is secured at the free end of the hose and, in order tomaintain its barrel tip 64 in an upward position when not in use. adouble-swivel joint 66 of the elbow type is affixed to the root portionof handle grip 65 so as to allow the nozzle valve to rotate about ahorizontal axis into an upward position lying parallel to hose 62. Thebarrel tip is coupled to the hose in some suitable manner. Such anarrangement is, however, cumbersome during gasoline feeding operationsbecause of the noz zle valve coupling, uncoupling and rotating stepsrequired'for each feeding operation.

An improved pistol type nozzle 1 according to the invention is shown indetail in FIG. 3 as comprising a barrel top 2, barrel frame 3, andhandle grip 4. Barrel top 2 is an aluminum pipe 5 containing a slenderair passage pipe 6, the end 6a of which is opened at the lower side oftip 50 of the aluminim pipe. The opposite end of air passage pipe 6 isconnected to the center portion of an air passage supporting member 10.

A coil 7 surrounding pipe 5 is designed for preventing barrel top 2 fromslipping out of the gasoline inlet of the automobile tank duringgasoline feeding.

The air passage supporting member I0 and a valve means 8 are providedwithin the elongated barrel frame 3 at the forward end thereof. An inlet9 (see also FIG. 4) is located at the side of the central portion of thebarrel frame. and an automatic valve closing means II is provided withinthe rearward portion of the barrel frame.

A valve seat member [2 of the valve means 8 is fitted within an internalflange 3a of barrel frame by means of an O-ring. and is threaded tomember I0. A set screw 13 thrcadedly engages the barrel frame and abutsagainst member It) to thereby maintain val\e seat member 12 in placewithin flange 3a.

A non-return valve 14 of valve means 8 is slid-ably connected to airpassage supporting member 10 in a manner whereby it is pressed against a\al\c seat ill! at the inwardly sloping portion at the downstream sideof valve seat member 12. Valve [4 is biassed into such position by meansof a spring 15.

A main valve [6 of valve means 8 is provided at the upstream side ofmember 12 opposite HUIYICHIIH valve 14, and a pilot valve 17 isconnected thereto at its central portion in a manner whereby \abe 10 ispressed against valve seat l2u by pilot tube 17.

This main valve 16 and pilot valve 17 are interconnected by a bolt 18threadedly engaged at the tip of pilot valve 17. A space is provided invalve 16 between head 18a of bolt 18 and a fitting hole 16a of the mainvalve so that, when the pilot valve is moved to the right an openingbetween valves [6 and [7 first occurs de pending on the depth of suchspace. whereafter main valve [6 is opened.

Main valve 16 is provided with small openings [9 to serve as passagewaysto the downstream side when pilot valve [7 is opened with respectthereto.

As shown in FIG 5 pilot valve 17 has a main body and a valve rod 17aintegral therewith. A slot opening 17/) located in rod portion [7aaccommodates a trigger 21 extending therethrough ln FIGS. 3 and 4,trigger 21 is shown in engagement with a notch [70 of pilot valve rod170 at the back 21a thereof via a push rod 22 and a roll pin 23.Therefore. when trigger 2] is pulled, valve rod 17a is moved to theright, and pilot valve 17 is opened whereafter main valve 16 is alsoopened.

A pin 40. provided on push rod 22, is fitted in a guide slot 17.x formedon the valve rod as shown in FIG. 5, so as to prevent push rod 22 forrotating A cap 24 is fitted over the right end of valve rod 17m.

A spring 25 located within the hollow end of rod l7u bears against pushrod 22 and the interior of cap 24. The push rod is thereby maintained ina fixed position, Le, a position at which the left end of push rod 22comes into contact with back 21a of trigger 21.

A spring 26. of a stronger spring quality as compared to spring 25.surrounds cap 24 and extends between collar 2411 thereof and theinterior of a second cap 27. Pilot valve rod 17a is therefore biassedinto a valve closing position to the left by spring 26.

A U-shaped frame body 28 is shown in FIG. 7 as having slots 28/) for thereception of roll pins 23. FIG. 4 shows the frame body in place with itsback plate 28:: connected by means of a pin 3] to a diaphragm 32 provided in a negative pressure generating chamber 29.

A spring 33 is provided in negative pressure generab ing chamber 29 andis designed to operate so as to continuously press diaphragm 32downwardly as shown in FIG. 4, and to cause the two roll pins 23 fittedin slit 28b of frame body 28 to be seated within notch 22: of push rod22.

Automatic valve closing means II is therefore com prised of valve rod|71 push rod 22, roll pins 23, frame body 28. diaphragm 32, and negativepressure generating chamber 2).

Passages 34 and 35, shown in FIG. 4, are provided for connectingnegative pressure generating chamber 29 with an air chamber 36 locatedin a void between valve (Ill seat member l2 and the main body and an airchamber Illa (see HG. 3! of air passage supporting member 10.

An elbow 4| is rotatably secured to inlet port 9 by means of a fittingnut 42. This port opens into the side of barrel frame 3 at approximatelythe central portion thereof strainer-13 and .1 coupling 44 are securedto elbou 4] :n the inlet end thereof by means of a fitting nut 45. Ahose 20 (see also H0. 2) is connected to coupling 44.

(urved portion 2H1 (l-'l(l, 3) of trigger 2| extends outwardly of barrelframe 3 and a guard 37 (FIGS. 9a and 9/1) for the trigger is provided tocover curved portion Zl/i. One end of guard 37 is removably secured tobarrel frame 3 by a pin 38. and the other end thereof is rcmovablysecured to handle grip 4 by a pin 39.

A metal restraining member 46 is pivotally secured by a pin 47 to guard37 within a central elongated slot 37:: thereof Another pin 51 on guard37 extends into a slot 49 provided in member 46. A spring 48 surrounding pin 47 has one end thereof fixed to the guard and the other endthereof seated on restraining metal member 46 to thereby biasrestraining metal member 46 into a clockwise turning position about pin47. Such a position is limited by means of pin 51 in engagement with anend ofslot 49. Notches 4611 and 46/2, for setting the opening of thevalve at two levels. are provided at the inner edge of member 46 and areengageable with a tip 2h of curved portion 2H1 of the trigger.

An outwardly extending rotating stop pin 52. as seen in FIG. 4, isprovided on barrel frame 3 at the periphery of inlet port 9 so as torestrict the rotation of elbow coupling 4] as it bears against the outerwall of the coupling. Such location of the stop pin with its restrictingfunction permits the gasoline feeding operation to be convenientlycarried out as handle grip 4 is grasped and pistol type nozzle valve 1is inserted into the gasoline inlet of an automobile tank. FIG. 8 showsthe position of the pistol type nozzle valve just prior to the timerotation stop pin 52 bears against the outer wall of elbow coupling 4]to prevent further rotation. When further rotated about seventy degreescounterclockwise, elbow coupling 4] comes into contact with rotationstop pin 52 to completely stop.

la the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10a and l0h inlet ports 9 and 9' areprovided on both sides of barrel frame 3. and elbow 41 is formed asY'shaped to prevent the nozzle valve from turning to one side Theoperation and function of the present invention will now be describedReferring to H6. 2, pistol type nozzle is manually lowered from ceiling60 as its hose 20 is unreeled from housing 61. Barrel top 2 extendsupwardly during lowering. after which nozzle 1 is rotated to theposition shown in FIG. 8 for insertion of its nozzle tip into thegasoline inlet of an automobile tank. Rotation stop pin 52 bears againstthe side of elbow 41 to stop the nozzle in its FIG. 8 position. therebyrender ing it easy to operate since hose 20 in no way interferes withthe grasping of handle grip 4.

By initially pulling on trigger 2l with the index finger. and hookingthe middle finger and the ring finger against the outside of guard 37,back portion 21a of trigger 2| moves push rod 22 to the right as in FIG3 thereby also moving the two roll pins 23 to the right. Since pins 23are seated within notch 17c valve rod [7a is also moved to the right.Therefore. pilot valve 17 is first opened. whereby the gasoline flows tothe downstream side of main valve 16 through small openings 19 of mainvalve [6. so that the back pressure on main valve [6 is decreased. Byfurther pulling on trigger 21. main valve 16 is opened along with valerod 171: of pilot valve 17 and the gasoline flows to the downstreamside. thereby opening non-return valve [4 as it is pushed against itsspring 15.

The initially contracted flow of gasoline at the tapercd portion ofvalve means 8 creates a negative pres sure due to a venturi effect andair is drawn in from end 61! of pipe 6 through passage 12(' openinghere. Therefore. when end 6:: is blocked as the gasoline level in theautomobile tank rises. the air is checked from flowing from air passage6. so that the pressure in negative pressure generating chamber 29interconnecting passage 120 with passages 34 and 35 becomes negative.Diaphragm 32 is pushed up out of chamber 30 with the atmosphericpressure on the down side thereof. and roll pins 23 connected withdiaphragm 32 by frame body 28 are also pulled upwardly out of notch 22:!of push rod 22. although the pins do not move out of contact with endl7l of notch 170.

With such operation. push rod 22 disengages from valve rod 17a so as tocompress spring 25 and thereafter returns to its original positiontogether with the roll pins by means of spring 26., to thereby closemain valve l6 and pilot valve 17.

Then. as trigger 2] is released. push rod 22 is returned to its originalposition of P16. 3 by means of spring 25. Notch 22a of the push rod istherefore again located beneath pins 23 for the reception thereof sothat valve rod [71: and push rod 22 are again interconnected by means ofroll pins 23 as shown in FIG. 4.

Depending on the quantity of gasoline to be fed. the trigger is pulleduntil its tip 211' lies above notch 46a. for example. Member 46 is thenlifted with the middle linger so as to engage notch 46a with tip 21 ofthe trigger; the valve opening at this notch is therefore maintained.That is to say. since trigger 2] is continuously pressed by spring 26.notch 46a and tip 21- are still in engagement with one another throughthe friction thercbctween. and cannot be disengaged.

in order to disengage them. trigger 21 is further pulled slightly topermit member 46 to be returned to its original position by means ofspring 48. Tip 210 of the trigger is then disengaged and returns to itsposition of FIG. 3.

After gasoline feeding operation is completed and barrel top 2 isremoved from the gasoline inlet of the automobile tank. the barrel topautomatically rotates toward an upward position about coupling 41 sincethe center of gravity of nozzle 1 is located on the grip 4 side of thecoupling. When released. the nozzle is retracted into housing 6] alongwith hose 20.

Although the pistol type nozzle is described herein with reference to agasoline feeding means of the suspended type. the present invention isnot restricted thereto. By supporting the elbow coupling of the presentnozzle on the nozzle cradle of a conventional ground type gasolinefeeder. the barrel top will likewise automatically rotate toward anupward position.

From the foregoing. it can be seen that an efficient and highlyeffective pistol grip type nozzle has been devised. The inlet isprovided on the side of the barrel frame thereof. and the trigger. theautomatic valve closing device. and the handle grip are located on oneside of such inlet thereby shifting the center of gravity to that sideopposite the barrel top. Therefore. the barrel top automatically rotatestoward and into an ur ward position to facilitate an easier gasolinefeeding or eration.

Since the rotation stop pin is provided near the outc 5 wall of theinlet coupling for controlling the rotary pos tion of the nozzle valve.any interference of the opera tor's hand with the hose as he holds thehandle grip. substantially avoided.

Also. since the restraining metal member for the trig ger is biassedoutwardly into a disengaged position, di: engagement becomes easy whendesired. The restrair ing metal member is located just beneath thetrigger s that. by merely placing the index finger on the triggt' andlifting the restraining metal member with the mic dle finger. it ispossible to restrain the trigger and to or eratc the nozzle with onehandv Moreover, since the automatic valve closing devic is provided onone side of the inlet coupling. there is n need to provide a specialweight. spring. or the like. t assist in nozzle rotation.

What is claimed is:

l. A pistol type nozzle valve for gasoline fecdin comprising anelongated barrel frame having a valv means and a trigger element foropening and closin said valve means. a barrel top connected to said framat one end thereof. a handle grip connected to sai frame at the oppositeend thereof. inlet means openin into a side of said frame between saidtop and said grit said inlet means including a pivotable elbow couplinand a gasoline inlet hose capable of being suspende from an overheadsupport being connected to said cot pling. whereby the nozzle valve maybe suspended froi said hose.

2. The nozzle valve according to claim I. wherci said grip and said topare so positioned relative to sai inlet means as to locate the center ofgravity of the no; zle valve on a side of said inlet means opposite saidba rel top so as to cause said barrel top to automaticall rotate towardand into an upward position to facilital easier gasoline feeding.

3. The nozzle valve according to claim 2, wherci said inlet meansfurther includes a rotation stop pin ex tending outwardly of said barrelframe adjacent sai coupling to thereby limit rotation of the nozzle valvabout said coupling as said pin bears against a portio thereof.

4. The nozzle valve according to claim 2, wherein a automatic valveclosing means is located in said barn frame at said one side of saidinlet opposite said barn top so as to further insure location of thecenter c gravity at said side.

5. The nozzle valve according to claim 4, wherci said automatic valveclosing means comprises said tri; ger element mounted within said barrelframe for opei ing and closing said valve means so as to open and clotsaid inlet means. said closing means further comprisir a valve rodhaving a transverse opening through whit said trigger element extends, apush rod located with an axial opening of said valve rod and in contactwit said trigger element to be axially moved thereby. a re pin seatedwithin a transverse notch provided in sa push rod. a U-shaped framemember having slo therein for the reception of said roll pin. a diaphrag5 connected to said frame member. and a negative pre sure generatingchamber located on one side of said d aphragm to effect movement of saidroll bar into ar out of said notch.

limit flow through said inlet means upon actuation of said triggerelement.

7. The nozzle valve according to claim I. wherein said valve meanscomprises a main valve and a cooperating pilot valve. said pilot valvebeing openahle by means of said trigger element. and means beingprovided to permit back pressure on said main valve to be lowered tofacilitate opening of said main valve upon opening said pilot valve.

1. A pistol type nozzle valve for gasoline feeding comprising anelongated barrel frame having a valve means and a trigger element foropening and closing said valve means, a barrel top connected to saidframe at one end thereof, a handle grip connected to said frame at theopposite end thereof, inlet means opening into a side of said framebetween said top and said grip, said inlet means including a pivotableelbow coupling and a gasoline inlet hose capable of being suspended froman overhead support being connected to said coupling, whereby the nozzlevalve may be suspended from said hose.
 2. The nozzle valve according toclaim 1, whereiN said grip and said top are so positioned relative tosaid inlet means as to locate the center of gravity of the nozzle valveon a side of said inlet means opposite said barrel top so as to causesaid barrel top to automatically rotate toward and into an upwardposition to facilitate easier gasoline feeding.
 3. The nozzle valveaccording to claim 2, wherein said inlet means further includes arotation stop pin extending outwardly of said barrel frame adjacent saidcoupling to thereby limit rotation of the nozzle valve about saidcoupling as said pin bears against a portion thereof.
 4. The nozzlevalve according to claim 2, wherein an automatic valve closing means islocated in said barrel frame at said one side of said inlet oppositesaid barrel top so as to further insure location of the center ofgravity at said side.
 5. The nozzle valve according to claim 4, whereinsaid automatic valve closing means comprises said trigger elementmounted within said barrel frame for opening and closing said valvemeans so as to open and close said inlet means, said closing meansfurther comprising a valve rod having a transverse opening through whichsaid trigger element extends, a push rod located within an axial openingof said valve rod and in contact with said trigger element to be axiallymoved thereby, a roll pin seated within a transverse notch provided insaid push rod, a U-shaped frame member having slots therein for thereception of said roll pin, a diaphragm connected to said frame member,and a negative pressure generating chamber located on one side of saiddiaphragm to effect movement of said roll bar into and out of saidnotch.
 6. The nozzle valve according to claim 1, further comprising atrigger guard connected to said barrel frame and said handle grip andextending over said trigger element, a restraining metal memberpivotally connected at one end thereof to said guard within an axialopening of said guard, a spring on said guard being in engagement withsaid restraining metal member to spring bias said member outwardly ofsaid trigger element, and notches located at the inner surface of saidmember for engagement with said trigger element to limit flow throughsaid inlet means upon actuation of said trigger element.
 7. The nozzlevalve according to claim 1, wherein said valve means comprises a mainvalve and a cooperating pilot valve, said pilot valve being openable bymeans of said trigger element, and means being provided to permit backpressure on said main valve to be lowered to facilitate opening of saidmain valve upon opening said pilot valve.